Body Contouring vs Weight Loss Surgery: What’s the Difference?
In recent years, the term “body contouring” has become more and more well-known among the average person. This phrase, which describes a certain type of cosmetic surgery procedure intended to help patients trim, sculpt, or rejuvenate a certain area of their body, has become commonplace as these procedures become more and more in demand. But one thing I have noticed during this time is that many patients that I speak with think that body contouring surgery and weight loss surgery are the same things. While it’s true that both weight loss (or bariatric) surgery and body contouring surgery can help greatly improve a patient’s appearance and self-confidence, they are very different types of surgery intended to treat different needs.
Although I do not perform weight loss surgery, I believe it is important to define what it entails so patients have a better understanding overall. Weight loss surgery is performed in order to help those who are very overweight or obese lose a significant amount of weight. Common weight loss procedures include gastric bypass surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, and the adjustable gastric band procedure. The goal of these procedures is to limit the amount of food the patient’s stomach can hold. This can be done by either using a gastric band to reduce the size of the stomach or by surgically removing a portion of the stomach. In some cases, a bariatric procedure can re-route the small intestine to a small pouch in the stomach. Regardless of the method used, undergoing weight loss surgery can provide significant weight loss for those who need it most.
Body contouring surgery is designed to help patients who are already at or near their ideal weight by providing subtle tweaks to their physique or figure. This would include small amounts or large amounts of weight loss. For example, women who have recently been pregnant, people with smaller areas of stubborn fat, or those who experience loose, stretched skin that results from natural aging. The procedures often work by removing and repositioning excess skin and tissue, as well as removing patches of excess fat from certain areas. Common surgeries like liposuction, tummy tuck surgery, arm lifts, and breast lift surgery are considered body contouring procedures.
Additionally, body contouring surgery is often used as a way to complement the effects of weight loss surgery. This is commonly known as post-bariatric surgery. It’s normal for patients who have undergone weight loss surgery to have considerable loose stretched skin following their surgery. Post-bariatric body contouring is used to help patients smooth out the results of their weight loss surgery by removing the loose skin left behind by their initial procedure. Common areas that post-bariatric surgery is used to treat include the arms, thighs, abdomen, and more.
The difference between body contouring and weight loss surgery is an important one and I hope this blog post helped prospective patients better understand the distinction. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. You can also follow along with me on Facebook for additional plastic surgery tips, news, and much more.
I take my responsibility for educating my patients about cosmetic surgery incredibly seriously. With so many procedure options and techniques available today, the sheer amount of information can be overwhelming for many people. In the case of 
Losing a significant amount of weight can often be a life-changing development. However, I have treated many patients over the years who have experienced this kind of weight loss and still required additional aesthetic assistance to achieve the physique they desired. Over time, it’s only natural for extra weight to cause the skin to become stretched in areas like the abdomen, arms, thighs, and more. In these situations, post weight loss surgery can be an incredibly helpful next step for many people.